The Workplace Blog

Pete Stein wrote an article(PDF) early this year on the transformative interaction potential that moves the online experience away from the “page-based paradigm” of the web to “rich interfaces that enable immersive customer experiences”. He cited no less than 5 opportunities, along with corresponding challenges that explore potentials for value creation out of everyday complexities from our decision making processes. A new application just out illustrates such opportunities and challenges.

Schmap, a Windows-based application (its freeware player needs to be installed locally) released 4 months ago, integrates its mapping technology with photos from Flickr, as well as with content partners, WCities and TeleAtlas, for city and map data. It promises to be an immersive brand experience, a delight to users, and an exploration in new paths of navigation, with real-time interactivity as well as a potentially profitable endeavor through its commercial licensing/advertising as well as its upcoming travel store (opportunities cited in Stein’s article; see also remarks from Schmap’s CEO/founder for specifics of the application).

And challenges? The challenges associated with such burgeoning interactive technologies will be critical to its development:

1. User education
2. Tracking behavior
3. Advertising standards
4. Context for content
5. Searchability requirement